For show's fifth season, producers and writers promise to get back to its roots and be funnier than ever

It might be hanging on by a thread, but “Community” is back. And it was back at Comic-Con International on Sunday for some fan appreciation.

Stars Jim Rash, Yvette Nicole Brown, Allison Brie, Ken Jeong, Danny Pudi and Gillian Jacobs were joined on stage by exec Chris McKenna and creator Dan Harmon to thank the fans for helping get their show back on the air for a fifth season. They showed a film they put together to tell fans how much they appreciated the Twitter campaigns and flash mobs to keep the show from being canceled. Stars Joel McHale and Donald Glover were not in attendance.

Dan Harmon — who was replaced as showrunner for the fourth season but was brought back by NBC for the fifth season — talked about the pressure to pay the fans back and follow through with great episodes.

"New levels of anxiety that will trickle into the content," Harmon said.

While some people slept, others gathered their belongings, still smiling after a night under tents while waiting for Hall H to open at the Convention Center. Samantha Esguerra, center, talks with Peter Jim, both waited since 11:00 pm the previous ...
— Peggy Peattie / /UT San Diego

Vince Gilligan, left, Executive Producer of the television show Breaking Bad and actors Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Anna Gunn speak at Hall H at Comic-Con. A mask from the character Walter White sits on the table.
— K.C. Alfred / UT San Diego

But because the show is signed on for only 13 episodes, and nothing more, Harmon said he’s going to make them count. The show will get back to focusing on the characters who should feel like they live down the street from fans, he said.

"We're taking a different approach in the writers' room this year. We're taking off all our clothes and singing to ourselves and waiting for a story to tell," Harmon said. "We want to get back to that Season 1/Season 2 feel of being very organic and knocking each episode out of the park.”

“Get ready for some grounded character work!” Harmon yelled, joking about how his plans for the show aren’t very exciting announcements for Comic-Con.

But the show did make a few real announcements — the biggest being that the show is moving to syndication. Fans can go to communityontv.com to find out what local channel the show will be on.

Harmon vowed that he is going to do whatever he can to get the show to have a sixth season, despite the difficulties the show has had.

"I'm not making this up — the harder it gets, the funnier the show gets,” Harmon said.